Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry 2020; 9(5): 1057-1060

E-ISSN: 2278-4136 P-ISSN: 2349-8234 www.phytojournal.com Impact of foliar application of Multiplex General JPP 2020; 9(5): 1057-1060 Received: 06-06-2020 Liquid on yield and yield attributing traits of Accepted: 08-08-2020 ( L.) growing under Lopamudra Jena protection 1. Department of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, Faculty of Horticulture, BCKV, Mohanpur, Nadia, Lopamudra Jena, Dr. Sanghamitra Pattnaik and Subhasmita Sahu West Bengal, India 2. Department of Floriculture Abstract and Landscaping, College of Gerbera for being occupier of a prominent position among the top traded cut flowers, it has become a Agriculture, OUAT, quite profit earning crop that has boosted its cultivation so far. As the quality plays utmost importance for Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India a cut flower as because it must be eye appealing to the consumers; micronutrients are found to play a Dr. Sanghamitra Pattnaik very crucial role. Multiplex General Liquid is a commercial micronutrient formulation that contains Senior Scientist and Head, KVK, various micronutrients in adequate combination that satisfies the need of micronutrient requirement of Mayurbhanj-1, Odisha, India internally thus enhances the various quality parameters. The current investigation was executed under polyhouse condition at Horticultural Research Station, College of Agriculture, Orissa University of Subhasmita Sahu Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar during the period starting from October, 2018 up to April, Department of Floriculture and 2019. This experiment was executed following Randomised Block Design with three replications & Landscaping, College of twelve treatments including a control. Promising results like increased plant height (31.87 cm), leaf area Agriculture, OUAT, (204.53 cm2), flower stalk length (46.50 cm), diameter of flowering head (10.84 cm), number of flowers Bhubaneswar, India per plant (3.63), vase life of cut flowers (6.70 days) and chlorophyll content of leaves (73.02) were obtained when the were subjected to foliar application of micronutrient commercial formulation i.e. Multiplex General Liquid @0.2%.

Keywords: Gerbera, profit earning crop, multiplex general liquid, yield, protection

Introduction Flowers are found to be associated with human culture and civilization since time immemorial. They are considered to be the symbolic representation of beauty, prosperity, passion, peace,

purity and love. Apart from being used in the beautification of surrounding, they are also known to posses various aesthetic, social, economical as well as religious values. Gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii L.) a proud member of family is native to South Africa more particularly Transvaal province & Asiatic regions. “Gerbera” was named in the honour of German naturalist Traugott Gerber, who travelled Russia during 1743.The

“jamesonii” was named after Dr. L. S. Jameson, a British Colonia statesman in South Africa who was one of the discoverers of the species. The genus comprises of around 45 species. In India, about 7 species are recorded Out of all the recorded species viz. Gerbera asplenifolia, , Gerbera Jamesonii, Gerbera kunzeana, Gerbera viridifolia etc. Only Gerbera Jamesonii is under cultivation with

chromosome number n=x=25. Gerbera is mostly preferred among commercial growers because of its wide range of colour variation, long lasting behaviour and wider adaptability for culture which have made Gerbera a flower of choice for cultivation in India. It is popularly known as Transvaal Daisy, African Daisy, Barberton Daisy, Veldt Daisy or Hilton Daisy. In the International cut flower trade it

ranks fourth position next to rose, carnation& chrysanthemum. With the change in life style of people, they have become more conscious about nutritional Corresponding Author: security, a portion of which has also started to be aesthetically conscious which has paved a Lopamudra Jena way for the raised demand for commercial cut flowers like gerbera. 1. Department of Floriculture This increased demand can be successfully met by growing adequate amount of good quality and Landscape Architecture, Faculty of Horticulture, gerbera cut flowers. It can be made possible through growing gerbera plants under protection BCKV, Mohanpur, Nadia, which ensures year round production by protecting the plants from external vagaries and West Bengal, India providing the plants with major nutrients long with micronutrients which not only increase the 2. Department of Floriculture cumulative yield but also enhance the quality of cut flowers in gerbera by meeting the crop and Landscaping, College of demand that fetches higher price in market in return. Agriculture, OUAT, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India ~ 1057 ~ Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry http://www.phytojournal.com

Multiplex General Liquid is a commercial micronutrient The recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) i.e. NPK 20:20:20 formulation having the chemical composition of Zn (3.0%), @15g/10 ltr was applied through foliar spray at weekly Mg (0.2%), Fe (0.2%), Mn (0.2%), Cu (0.1%) and Mo interval whereas foliar application of Multiplex General (0.005%). The investigation envisaged the impact of Liquid and other micronutrients and commercial formulations Multiplex General Liquid on various plant parameters that was done at fortnight interval. Besides regular weeding and attributes to the yield as well as quality of flowers. plant protection measures were taken as & when required. The aim of the experiment conducted was concentrated on Plants were irrigated twice a day through drip irrigation. following objectives- Observations regarding various vegetative parameters viz. 1. Impact on vegetative growth of plant. Plant height (cm), leaf area (cm2); floral parameters such as 2. Impact on flowering parameters. flower stalk length (cm), diameter of flowering head (cm), 3. Impact on chlorophyll content on gerbera leaves. number of flowers per plant, vase life (days); for biochemical parameter observation was taken on chlorophyll content of Materials and Methods leaves by using the measuring instrument called spadmeter. The present study on Impact of foliar application of Multiplex General Liquid on yield and yield attributing traits of Gerbera Statistical Analysis (Gerbera jamesonii L.) growing under protection was The observations recorded on various growth and flowering executed during 2018-19 at the Horticultural Research parameters were subjected to statistical analysis. The analysis Station, College of Agriculture, OUAT, Bhubaneswar, Odisha of variance table was prepared. The treatment effects were on already existing plantations. The investigation was tested by using “F” test at 5% level of significance. The conducted to study the effect of foliar application of critical difference at 5% level was calculated to compare the Multiplex General Liquid- a commercial formulation of treatment means. micronutrient on various vegetative and flowering parameters of Gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii L.) cv. Stanza. Result and Discussion The tissue culture gerbera plantlets to be used in the Result of the experiment envisaged that out of all treatment experiment were procured from KF Bio-Plants, Pune through combination, foliar application of Multiplex General Liquid air which were supplied by the firm in pro-trays having coco commercial formulation performed best as it resulted in peat media. Immediately after being received, the plantlets increased plant height (cm), leaf area (cm2), flower stalk were subjected to direct planting on well prepared beds under length (cm), diameter of flowering head (cm), number of polyhouse condition. flowers per plant, vase life of cut flowers (days) and The entire experimental area was divided into 36 plots each chlorophyll content of leaves. of 2.1m × 0.7m size. The design followed for this experiment was Randomised Block Design that comprised of 3 Plant height (cm) replications consisting of 12 treatments in each replication. Observations on plant height of gerbera influenced by the The treatment details are as follows:- foliar application of Multiplex General Liquid were recorded T1: NPK 20:20:20 @15g/10 L (Control) periodically. From the recorded data, it was observed that T2: NPK 20:20:20 @15g/10 L+ ZnSO4 (0.2%) maximum plant height (31.87 cm) was recorded in plants T3: NPK 20:20:20 @15g/10 L + Borax (0.2%) receiving the treatment combination consisting up RDF T4: NPK 20:20:20 @15g/10 L + MnSO4 (0.2%) @15g/10 L and Multiplex General Liquid @0.2% which was T5: NPK 20:20:20 @15g/10 L+ZnSO4 (0.2%) + Borax significantly different from other treatments, followed by (0.2%) 29.67 cm in T11 (NPK 20:20:20 @15g/10L + Power Bio-20 T6: NPK 20:20:20 @15g/10 L+ ZnSO4 (0.2%) + MnSO4 @0.2%), 29.27 cm in T6 (NPK 20:20:20 @15g/10L + ZnSO4 (0.2%) @0.2% + MnSO4 @0.2%) & 29.13 cm in T8 (NPK 20:20:20 T7: NPK 20:20:20 @15g/10 L+ Borax (0.2%) + MnSO4 @15g/10L + ZnSO4 @0.1% + Borax @0.1% + MnSO4 (0.2%) @0.1%). However, minimum plant height (28.06 cm) was T8: NPK 20:20:20 @15g/10 L+ ZnSO4 (0.1%) + Borax recorded in the control. (0.1%) + MnSO4 (0.1%) The increased plant height was attributed because of foliar T9: NPK 20:20:20 @15g/10 L + ZnSO4 (0.2%) + Borax application of Multiplex General Liquid which is having (0.2%) + MnSO4 (0.2%) micronutrient elements those are responsible for nitrogen T10: NPK 20:20:20 @15g/10 L+ Toto Care (0.2%) metabolism that stimulates the vegetative growth thus T11: NPK 20:20:20 @15g/10 L+ Power Bio-20 (0.2%) resulting in increased plant height. They also activate the T12: NPK 20:20:20 @15g/10 L + Multiplex General Liquid enzyme IAA oxidase which oxidizes IAA in plants which is (0.2%) responsible for apical dominance leading to increased plant height. By serving as a catalyst, the micronutrient elements Chemical composition of commercial formulations used in alter the enzymatic reactions and helps in larger biosynthesis this experiment of photosynthetic assimilates which is another for enhanced Toto Care: Zn (3.6%), Fe (6.6%), Mn (4.3%), Cu (0.8%) and plant height. In 2014, Bhagyalakashmamma [1] obtained B (0.7%) similar result in Gerbera as maximum plant height was obtained with foliar application of Multiplex General Liquid. Power Bio-20: NPK+ Mg (1%), Fe EDTA (960 mg), Mn (480 mg), Cu (480 mg), Zn (480 mg), B (190 mg), Co (8 mg), Leaf area (cm2) Mo (8 mg) The observations concerning the leaf area were found to be influenced by the foliar application of micronutrient Multiplex General Liquid: Zn (3.0%), Mg (0.2%), Fe combinations. However, the gerbera plants under treatment (0.2%), Mn (0.2%), Cu (0.1%), Mo (0.005%) combination T12 (NPK 20:20:20 @15g/10 L + Multiplex

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General Liquid 0.2%) showed highest leaf area i.e. 204.53 (2003) [9], where highest flower bud diameter was obtained 2 cm which was subsequently followed by T6 (NPK 20:20:20 with foliar spray of Multiplex. @15g/10 L + ZnSO4 @0.2% + MnSO4 @0.2%) & T10 (NPK 20:20:20 @15g/10 L + Toto Care @0.2%) which were at par Number of flowers per plant with each other showing 197.13 cm2& 196.27 cm2 leaf area The persual of collected data revealed that the gerbera plants 2 respectively. Minimum leaf area (160.33 cm ) was registered receiving the treatment combination T12 (NPK 20:20:20 in control plot. @15g/10 L + Multiplex General Liquid @0.2%) noted to Foliar application of micronutrient formulation i.e. Multiplex produce maximum number of flowers per plant that was General Liquid plays stimulative effect on loosening cell wall, closely followed by T6 (3.50), T11 (3.36), T10 (3.13) which are thereby increasing cell elongation along with cell found to be at par with each other. Number of flowers per differentiation & enlargement which accounts increase in leaf plant was recorded to be minimum (2.20) under control (T1) area. Similarly, micronutrients are also known to play vital where plants are subjected to foliar application of major role in increasing photosynthesis & translocation of the nutrients only NPK 20:20:20 @15g/10 L. manufactured food materials that may result in enhanced leaf The various micronutrient elements present in Multiplex area. The result comes in line with the experimental findings General Liquid plays vital role in the carbohydrate reported by Chaturvedi et al. (1986) [2], where increased metabolism and helps in higher assimilate synthesis which numbers of leaves were obtained with application of Agromin may serve as a reason for increased flower production. They (2% N + chelated form of Mn, Mg, B, Zn, Fe, Cu and Mo). are also essential for chlorophyll formation thus promotes the photosynthetic process resulting in production of more Flower stalk length (cm) photosynthates thus ultimately boosting up the total flower The recorded observations for flower stalk diameter depicted yield. This result corroborates with the findings of [5] Kirilov that maximum flower stalk length (46.50 cm) was noted under et al. (1988) in carnation where he used Lactofol and [9] the treatment combination NPK 20:20:20 @15g/10 L + Nagaraju et al. (2003) in rose where multiplex general liquid Multiplex General Liquid @0.2% i.e. 46.50 cm which was gave max flowers. subsequently followed by the treatment combination NPK 20:20:20 @15g/10 L + Toto Care @0.2% (T10), NPK Vase life of cut flowers (days) 20:20:20 @15g/10 L+ Power Bio-20 @0.2% (T11) and NPK The observed data on vase life of cut flowers revealed that the 20:20:20 @15g/10 L + Borax @0.2% + MnSO4 @0.2% (T7) vase life of cut gerbera was found to be maximum in T12 pertaining flower stalk length of 45.90 cm, 45.73 cm & 45.44 (NPK 20:20:20 @15g/10 L + Multiplex General Liquid cm which were found to be at par with each other. However, @0.2%) i.e. 6.70 days which was subsequently followed by the lowest stalk length (42.11 cm) was recorded in the control T2 (6.53 days), T11 (6.07 days) & T6 (5.83 days). On the other plot receiving only major nutrients. hand minimum vase life (4.63 days) of cut gerbera was Micronutrient play pivotal role in enhancing cell division and inferred in control (T1) receiving the treatment combination enlargement, improve protein synthesis and dry matter NPK 20:20:20 @15g/10 L. accumulation thus promoting the apical dominance which The commercial micronutrient formulation application in may be a prominent reason of increased stalk length. The foliar form is known to play crucial role in the photosynthesis result collaborates with the research findings given by El- process, thereby enhancing the stored carbohydrate reserve Naggar (2009) [3], who recorded maximum floral stem length which may serve as a prominent reason for prolonged vase in Carnation when plants were fertilized through foliar spray life. The result comes in conformity with the experimental with “Sangral” containing Fe, Zn, Cu, B and Mo. In 2003 [9], findings of Kewate and Sable (1997) [4] in rose cv. Paradise & Nagaraju et al. also reported increased flower stem length in Muthumanicham et al. (1999) [8] in gerbera. Rose. Chlorophyll content of leaves Diameter of flowering head (cm) Perusal of the data revealed that that the plants receiving the According to the observed data, highest flower head diameter treatment combination NPK 20:20:20 @15g/10 L + Multiplex (10.84 cm) was recorded when the plants were treated with General Liquid @0.2% showed highest chlorophyll content NPK 20:20:20 @15g/10 L + Multiplex General Liquid 73.02 which was followed by T9 (70.09). It was found to be @0.2% (T12) which was followed by NPK 20:20:20 @15g/10 subsequently followed by T8 (NPK 20:20:20 @15g/10 L + L + ZnSO4 @0.1% + Borax @0.1% + MnSO4 @0.1% (T8) & ZnSO4 @0.1% + Borax @0.1% + MnSO4 @0.1%) & T10 NPK 20:20:20 @15g/10 L + Power Bio-20 @0.2% (T11) (NPK 20:20:20 @15g/10 L + Toto Care @0.2%) pertaining resulting in 10.74 cm & 10.53 cm diameter of flowering head 67.92 and 66.79 respectively which were statistically similar respectively. The control plot showed lowest flower head with each other. The leaf chlorophyll content of gerbera plants diameter i.e. 9.49 cm. were found to be minimum i.e. 56.07 in control plot applied The increased flower head diameter may be due to foliar with T1 (NPK 20:20:20 @15g/10 L). application of micronutrient elements as Multiplex General Multiplex General Liquid contains various micronutrient Liquid as those are responsible for production more elements like Zn, Mn, Cu, Fe, Mo etc those act as catalyst and photosynthates because of enhanced photosynthesis that play crucial role in enhancing the synthesis of chlorophyll serves to increased diameter of flowering head. El- Naggar in molecule thereby increasing the total chlorophyll content of 2009[3] registered maximum flower diameter in Carnation gerbera leaves. The result was supported by Kumar et al. with foliar fertilization of micronutrient formulation (2004) [6] in tuberose cv. Double and Mostafa et al. (1997) [7] “Sangral”. The result was also supported by Nagaraju et al. in chrysanthemum.

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Table 1: Impact of Multiplex General Liquid on various plant parameters

Treatme Plant Leaf area Flower stalk Diameter of Number of vase life of cut Chlorophyll content Sl. No. nts height (cm) (cm2) length (cm) flowering head (cm) flowers per plant flowers (days) of leaves 1 T1 28.07 160.33 42.11 9.49 2.20 4.63 56.07 2 T2 28.93 189.87 44.88 10.33 2.40 6.53 63.61 3 T3 27.60 179.67 43.78 10.23 2.43 5.40 60.99 4 T4 27.87 181.93 42.46 10.37 2.27 5.03 64.65 5 T5 27.87 186.07 42.92 10.27 2.54 5.20 64.02 6 T6 29.27 197.13 44.91 10.23 3.50 5.83 63.26 7 T7 27.33 183.67 45.44 10.51 2.38 5.17 61.17 8 T8 29.13 194.67 45.25 10.74 2.99 5.50 67.92 9 T9 27.53 187.27 44.76 10.20 2.77 5.57 70.79 10 T10 28.27 196.27 45.89 10.37 3.13 5.68 66.79 11 T11 29.67 195.07 45.73 10.53 3.36 6.07 60.11 12 T12 31.87 204.53 46.50 10.84 3.63 6.70 73.02 SE(m)± 0.692 4.405 0.383 0.247 0.269 0.311 2.694 C.D. at 5% 2.043 13.002 1.130 0.728 0.794 0.919 7.951

2. Chaturvedi OP, Shukla IN, Singh AR. Effect of Agromin on growth and flowering in gladiolus. Programme Horticulture. 1986; 18(3-4):196-199. 3. EL-Naggar. Response of Dianthes caryophyllus L. plants to foliar nutrition. World journal of Agricultural Science. 2009; 5(5):622-630. 4. Kewate M, Sable AS. Influence of growth regulators and foliar nutrients on vase life, grading and economics of rose cv. Paradise. Journals of soil and crops. 1997; 7(1):96-98. 5. Kirilov D, Groshkov IB, Chvarov P, Pallova A. Foliar nutrition of greenhouse carnations with Lactofol suspensions. Rasteniev’dni Nauki. 1988; 25(5):56-59.

6. Kumar H, Ahlawat VP, Yadav BS, Sehrawat SK. Fig 1: Gerbera cv. Stanza used in the experiment Response of nitrogen and zinc application on spike length, bulb production and nutrient content in tuberose Conclusion (Polianthes tuberosa Linn.) cv. Double. Haryana Journal Based on the results derived from the current investigation, of Horticultural Science. 2004; 33(3&4):221-223. foliar application of the treatment combination T12 (NPK 7. Mostafa MM, EL-haddad EH, Amar MA. Effectiveness 20:20:20 @15g/10 L + Multiplex General Liquid @0.2%) of foliar nutrition with some micro-elements of gave the most promising results regarding various plant chrysanthemum plants. Alexandria Journal of parameters. As compared to others, best performance on Agricultural Research. 1997; 42(1):81-93. parameters like plant height, leaf area, flower stalk length, 8. Muthumanickam D, Rajmani K, Jawaharlal M. Effect of diameter of flowering head, vase life of cut flowers & micronutrients on flower production in Gerbera. Journal chlorophyll content of leaves was attributed through the foliar of Ornamental Horticulture. 1999; 2(2):131-132. spray of Multiplex General Liquid. Thus this micronutrient 9. Nagaraju CG, Reddy TV, Madaiah D. Effect of N, K and formulation can be commercialized as well as popularized multiplex on growth, production and quality harvest of among commercial flower growers so that they can produce field grown roses cv. Gladiator. Journal of Ornamental adequate quality flowers which will in turn fetch premium Horticulture. 2003; 6(4):287-279. price in the market.

Acknowledgement I would like to covey my heartfelt regards to my guide Dr. Sanghamitra Pattnaik maam for her invaluable and timeless suggestion, constant inspiration, affectionate dealings, constructive criticism and advice helped me at every stage. Also I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Dr. (Mrs.) Sashikala Beura maam, Dr.Siddarth Kumar Palai sir, Dr. Antaryami Mishra sir and Dr. Geeta Pandey maam for their immense co-operation and continual guidance throughout my entire journey.

References 1. Bhagyalakakshmamma BS. Effect of micronutrient formulations on growth, yield, quality and post harvest life of gerbera under cover. M.Sc. thesis submitted to UAS, Bangalore, 1998.

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